Draw Calm: Peony Doodles for Busy Moms

Discover how drawing simple peony doodles can offer us busy moms a quick, relaxing escape. Unleash creativity and find calm in every stroke.

In the midst of your whirlwind day, filled with to-dos and must-dos, here’s a little creative break for you. It’s about taking a moment, just for you, to breathe and create something beautiful and imperfect. Today, we’re drawing simple peony flowers—the perfect exercise for spring. No art degree required, I promise!

Why Bother Drawing Peony Doodles?

• Mindful Moment: This exercise brings you into the present, focusing your mind on the simple act of creation, pushing stress to the background.
• Creative Confidence: By embracing the imperfection of your scribbles, you’re taking a step away from the pressure of perfectionism that we, as moms, often face.
• Emotional Expression: Choosing colors and drawing can be a gentle way to express your feelings—a visual journal of your day or moment.
• Joy of Creation: There’s something inherently satisfying about making something with your hands. It’s a tangible reminder that you can create beauty amid chaos.

Have fun with this simple peony doodles exercise! Please let me know if you’ve tried this one; I would love to see it.

You can find a small video of this exercise on my Instagram @thecreativecooldown

Supplies used:

Bristol paper (BeCreativeShop), Alcohol markers (Ohuhu), fineliner 0.3 (Ohuhu).

Alternative supply suggestions:

You can use any supplies you have: colored pencils, crayons, watercolors, etc.

Instructions for this simple peony doodles exercise:

Step 1 – Start with your first petals

Before you start, slowly breathe in and out a few times to clear your head. Then, bring yourself to the present, away from all the day-to-day stress.

Place a dot anywhere on your page. This is the heart of your peony, the center from which you’ll draw your petals.

Starting from the dot, begin to draw ruffled, scribbly petals. The ones closest to the center are small and get progressively larger as you move outward. Think of it as a dance, where each step is a petal joining the whirl. Let your petals slightly overlap with the row below.

Step 2 – Creating your peony doodles

As you add petals, move in a gentle circle around your initial dot. There’s no right or wrong here; some petals might overlap, and some might stand alone. Your peony, your rules.

Just focus on the meditative feeling of the repetitive motion of adding more petals.

Don’t stop at one; let your page bloom with as many peonies as you’d like. Scatter them across your page, large and small, letting each one represent a moment of calm in your busy day.

Step 3 – Add colors

With your coloring tool of choice, add hues to your peonies. Darker shades toward the center edges of the petals can add depth, but feel free to play with the colors as you like.

This little exercise isn’t just about drawing; it’s a reminder that you deserve moments of peace and creativity. It’s a way to reclaim a bit of yourself in your busy day. So, give it a try. Let your peony doodles bloom on the page, and notice the calm and satisfaction bloom within you.

Looking forward to seeing your garden of peonies doodles! Remember, it’s not about the perfect flower; it’s about the perfect moment you give yourself.